LITCHFIELD BOARD OF EDUCATION

REGULAR MEETING

September 10, 2008

 

 

 

A regular meeting of the Litchfield Board of Education was held on Wednesday, September 10, 2008, in the Litchfield Intermediate School cafeteria.

 

            Board members present were: Mr. Katzin, Chairperson; Ms. Carr; Mrs. Fabbri; Mrs. Reardon; Messrs. Falcetti, Gorman, Shuhi, and Simone. Mr. Noone was absent.

 

            Also present were: Dr. Vita, Mr. Buccitelli, Mr. Johnson; Mrs. Longobucco; Ms. Marinelli; Ms. Della Volpe; and members of the public and the press.

 

                        MOTION made by Ms. Carr and seconded by Mr. Shuhi: to approve the minutes of the August 13, 2008 meeting as submitted with the following correction; change “Mrs.” to “Ms.” Carr.

 

                                    MOTION carried.  All votes were in the affirmative.  Mrs. Reardon and Mr. Gorman abstained.

 

Public Comment and Correspondence

 

            Rachel Clarken-Breslin reported on the student council activities at the high school.

 

            Mrs. Fabbri reported on STPC activities including the following: Yankee Candle fundraiser; and the first meeting September 18th to meet and greet parents.

 

            Mrs. Harrison reviewed a copy of a letter sent to the Board of Finance expressing concerns over the parking lot issue and FF&E needs.

 

            Mr. Murray expressed the following concerns: thankful for the smaller class size in the lower grades; oil issues; block schedule issues in conjunction with Professional Development time; and possible use of vacation time for Professional Development..

 

            Mrs. Knox commented on the successful opening day this year with a sense of camaraderie, organization and excitement.

 

            Mr. Katzin indicated that he received correspondence from a Litchfield High School student regarding a teacher that has left the system this year. The letter is a sample of good persuasive writing. 

 

Administrative Reports

 

            Mrs. Longobucco reported on the activities at Center School including the following: great beginning; some building issues; positive Kindergarten experience; and 4 kindergarten withdrawals at the last minute.

 

 

            Ms. Marinelli reported on the activities at the Intermediate School including the following: transition for 4th graders went well; very successful opening; Open House date changed from September 6th to September 23rd at 7 p.m., and the Professional Development held today. 

 

            Ms. Della Volpe reported on the activities at the High School including the following: smooth opening; counseling services; college application process; College Night on September 17th; review of the 2 building goals; outline of the Professional Development held today; Open House scheduled for September 25th at 6:30 p.m.; asset of having Mr. Amara as interim Assistant Principal; and casting for this year’s play.

 

            Mr. Johnson reported on the following: Professional Development design for the year; more proactive; kick-off event; today set a standard for the year; and student achievement presentation to the Board at September 24th meeting.

 

            Mr. Buccitelli reported on the following: smooth opening; State report done on time; and audit set-up for tomorrow.

 

            Mr. Crowe reported on the following: summer cleaning; roofing and windows at Center School; and water breeches corrections at Center School.

 

Superintendent’s Report

 

            Dr. Vita reported on the following:

  • Personnel info in packets and resignations, new employees and transfers.
  • Assistant Principal search process.
  • Special needs students and assistants needed.
  • Re-aligning budget to cover substantial deficit.
  • Smooth opening.
  • Updated list of tenured teachers for 2008.

 

Old Business

 

            Dr. Vita reported on the 2008-09 enrollment figures and programs that are running as planned including the Middle and High School schedules. 

 

New Business

 

                        MOTION made by Mrs. Reardon and seconded by Mr. Falcetti: to approve the payment of invoices and adjustments to line item expenditures for 2008-09 budget as required.

 

                                    MOTION carried.  All votes were in the affirmative except Ms. Carr who voted in the negative.  Mr. Shuhi and Mr. Simone abstained. 

 

            Ms. Della Volpe discussed the status of the search for LHS Assistant Principal including the following: on line search; 50 started; 25 submitted; 19 completed including all requirements; 5 chosen to interview by the advisory committee; 1 candidate fit best; extensive process; and unanimous recommendation.

 

            Board members discussed the following:  the hiring of the person is the prerogative of the Board; possible need for more than one candidate to interview; timeline; only one person to bring to the Board; committee decision is good; need to interview the one candidate; and interview to be held in the Central Office on Monday, September 15th at 6:00 p.m. and then move to Facilities and Technology Committee meeting at 7:00 p.m.

 

                        MOTION made by Mr. Falcetti and seconded by Ms. Carr: to approve the Out-of-State field trips as presented, Intermediate School to Old Sturbridge Village and High School to Quebec City. 

 

                                    MOTION carried.  All votes were in the affirmative.  There were no abstentions. 

 

Committee Reports

Facilities and Technology Committee

 

            Mr. Shuhi reported that the committee will meet on the 15th at 7:00 p.m. to discuss floor maintenance contract bids and POCAD report.

 

Finance Committee

 

            The committee will meet on the 22nd of September at 6:00 p.m. to discuss resolving the budget deficit. 

 

Programs and Personnel Committee

 

            Mrs. Reardon reported that the committee is involved in the search committee.

 

Policy Committee

 

            Ms. Carr reported that the committee will meet on October 16th at 6:00 p.m. to review the first section of the policy book.

 

                        MOTION made by Mr. Simone and seconded by Mr. Falcetti: to move to Executive Session at 8:15 p.m. to discuss student personnel matter.

 

                                    MOTION carried.  All votes were in the affirmative.  There were no abstentions.

 

Executive Session

 

Present were all the above Board members, Dr. Vita and Ms. Della Volpe.

 

Open session resumed at 8:50 p.m.

 

No action was taken.

 

 

                        MOTION made by Mr. Simone and seconded by Ms. Carr: to adjourn the meeting at 8:51 p.m.

 

                                    MOTION carried.  All votes were in the affirmative.  There were no abstentions. 

 

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

                                                                        Tina Reardon, Secretary

                                                                        Joanne Bertrand, Recording Secretary